Kukla's Korner Hockey

Bryan Murray says now that the Senators are not likely to re-sign Filip Kuba.

This is not surprising. This is not a ploy. This is a sound business decision.

Teammates would like to see the big defenceman return. He’s a popular guy, they say. He’s good for the power play, they insist. He has immensely helped Erik Karlsson become the player he became, we are told.

He can be replaced, I believe. For much less money.

In a non-cap world with all sorts of money to blow, they might offer Kuba similar money or even a raise on his $3.7 million salary to secure him before he tests the free agent market. But the reality is, that’s too much coin for a guy who is coming off a six goal season that was his highest total in four years with the team.